For those who are saying Obama caved on Secretary of State

President Barack Obama is said to be “genuinely conflicted” over whether he should nominate U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice or Sen. John Kerry to replace Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Two White House officials told the National Journal that both candidates are still under consideration, though Obama is leaning heavily toward Rice, one of his closest advisers since 2007.

“She and the president are on exactly the same page on all foreign-policy issues,” a White House official said, adding that “it would be clear to foreign leaders that when Susan Rice is speaking she’s speaking for the president.”

But Obama also “really respects John Kerry, who did an amazing job on debate prep. He respects Sen. Kerry as a leading figure in our party.”

So I think those who are alleging that Rice was President Obama's first choice and he caved to Republican pressure may be off base. Maybe she would have been his first choice if there were no controversy, but there were some valid concerns about whether she was the right fit personality-wise for that role. I think she would be much better suited to be the president's NSC chair if that position opens up, because he really respects her willingness to be blunt and challenge conventional wisdom. I would rather have someone like that advising the president and have someone who is better at conforming to diplomatic niceties and mediating conflicts at state.

1. I look at it this way

Kerry was Obama's choice from the start. The talk about Susan Rice was a manuever to get the pubs to accept John Kerry. Face it, before all this happened, the wing-nut (elected or not) were calling Kerry a Communist and a traitor, saying he gave aid and comfort to the enemy. Now he'll get approved in a walk. Holding Kerry's seat in the Senate for the Democratic party will not be a problem.

Rice took one for the team. She could still be appointed to a high white house position that doesn't require Congessional approval, such as National Security Advisor.

Obama is way smarter than the pubs he is dealing with, and they just got burned and don't even know it yet.

2. I don't know about that

I think maybe people are reading some grand conspiracy when there isn't one. IMO, the president had two good choices, so either he decided or Rice decided herself that it wasn't worth fighting for one when the other was equally good.

Also, I don't think that McCain's praise for Kerry is completely disingenuous. They go way back, although their relationship was strained when McCain failed to promptly condemn the Swiftboaters. Back in 2000, McCain was apparently asked to name a Democrat he respected on foreign policy and he said John Kerry.

Yes, maybe they want his Senate seat, but they have also served with him a long time and have worked with him on foreign policy. I don't think it's beyond the realm of possibility that they genuinely think he is the better choice for SOS. Especially since Clinton, who has worked with both Kerry and Rice, apparently feels the same way.

3. You make some good points.

4. Isn't there a

conspiracy that can be attached to this?

Maybe, Hillary wants Scott Brown to take Kerry's seat. LOL!

Seriously, what is it with people? On one hand they're attacking the President for caving to Republicans based on an absurd premise involving nobody sore loser McCain, and on the other hand they're trembling in fear of an exposed washed up Republican politician, Scott Brown.